Chapter 4
The heavy velvet curtains of the backstage area offered no protection,
as Julian stormed into the private green room,
his mind spinning in a chaotic whirlwind of panic and disbelief.
Eleanor was already sitting on a plush leather sofa,
calmly sipping a glass of sparkling water,
looking as though she had just returned from a casual evening stroll.
Isabella rushed into the room right behind him,
closing the door quickly to block out the frantic noise of the reporters,
who were now screaming questions at the stage managers.
What the hell did you just do,
Julian demanded,
his voice cracking with a mixture of rage and overwhelming terror.
Eleanor did not flinch,
and she did not raise her voice to match his frantic energy.
I simply protected my investment,
she replied coolly,
setting her water glass down on the glass coffee table with a soft clink.
You humiliated me in front of the entire industry,
Julian shouted,
pacing back and forth across the expensive Persian rug,
running his hands desperately through his perfectly styled hair.
You humiliated yourself,
Julian.
I merely provided the audience with the accurate context of your behavior.
Isabella stepped forward,
her hands shaking as she tried to defend her lover,
and desperately attempting to salvage her own ruined career.
Eleanor,
please,
this is a massive misunderstanding.
Eleanor slowly shifted her gaze to the younger woman,
looking at her with the detached curiosity of a scientist observing an insect.
Do not speak to me,
Isabella,
unless you are handing me your official letter of resignation.
Isabella gasped,
taking a stumbling step backward,
tears welling up in her large,
fearful eyes.
You cannot fire her,
Julian protested,
stepping between the two women in a pathetic display of chivalry.
She is essential to the launch,
and you do not have the unilateral authority to terminate executive staff.
Eleanor reached into her designer clutch,
pulling out a thick stack of folded documents,
and tossed them onto the table.
I have the authority to do whatever I please,
because while you were busy booking luxury hotel suites under fake names,
I was busy buying out the remaining hostile board members.
Julian stared at the documents,
recognizing the legal seals and the signatures of his most trusted advisors,
realizing that she had orchestrated a complete corporate coup right under his nose.
These are not just termination papers,
she added smoothly,
these are the divorce filings,
complete with an ironclad claim of infidelity that voids our prenuptial agreement entirely.
Julian felt his knees buckle slightly,
the sheer magnitude of his absolute ruin crashing down upon him,
as the illusion of his untouchable genius evaporated into thin air.
You have nothing left,
Julian,
except the suit you are wearing,
and the mistress who will undoubtedly leave you by morning.
She stood up,
smoothing the fabric of her red gown,
and walked toward the door without looking back.
I will see you in court,
May you like
she whispered softly,
and left them alone in the suffocating silence of the green room.
